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Update on Seth Davis, Teen with Cystic Fibrosis Who Received Double Lung Transplant with Help from UMHS

Posted by Scott Harrah
March 28, 2016

In 2014, Seth Davis, a then 15-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis, needed a double lung transplant. The UMHS Student Government Association (SGA) joined with the Hispanic American Medical Student Association (HAMSA) at UMHS to help Seth with his fight against cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. SGA held a Halloween-themed party and donated a portion of proceeds to Seth.

HAMSA held an event entitled “HAMSA Fest,” a cultural festival that celebrated the Hispanic culture and together, along with the University, UMHS donated over $2,000 U.S. dollars to assist Seth with his double lung transplant.

President Warren Ross recently received the following letter from Chris Merz, giving an update on Seth’s amazing progress. The UMHS Endeavour is republishing the letter below.

"In the fall of 2014, the students of UMHS participated in a fundraiser for the Seth Davis Benefit. Seth was a 15- year-old at the time who suffered from a rare form of Cystic Fibrosis. As a result, Seth needed a double lung transplant. Your students went above and beyond and raised $1,349 for Seth’s medical expenses. As if that wasn’t enough, you graciously matched their gift with a $1,000 gift.

The Seth Davis Benefit was held on November 15, 2014. It far exceeded our wildest dreams! We were blessed in so many ways by the outpouring of love and support by the community and beyond. We raised over $39,000 to help the Davis family with medical expenses. An early Christmas present came to Seth and his family in the form of a double lung transplant on December 19, 2014. The surgery went well and Seth’s recovery was better than expected.

 "Your students went above and beyond and raised $1,349 for Seth’s medical expenses. As if that wasn’t enough, you graciously matched their gift with a $1,000 gift. We are humbled by your generosity in helping to give life to a boy you didn’t know. Please let the students know how much their gift was appreciated. --Chris Merz."

In the past year, life has changed so much for Seth. He has grown up about six inches and is turning into a wonderful young man. He turned 16 and [like] most 16-year-olds, he was very happy to get his driver’s license and a little freedom with his friends. Seth was able to go swimming and swim under water this past summer—something he hasn’t done in years. In the fall, after being tutored at home for over three years due to his health, Seth was able to return to school. A few weeks ago, Seth’s sister took him along on a weekend ski trip. These things are commonplace to most people, but to Seth it is a miracle.

This thank you is well past due, but I thought you want might to hear “the rest of the story”! We are humbled by your generosity in helping to give life to a boy you didn’t know. Please let the students know how much their gift was appreciated.

Sincerely,

Chris Merz".

(Top photo) UPDATE ON SETH DAVIS: Teenager Seth Davis (center) has cystic fibrosis & needed a double lung transplant in 2014. UMHS students & the university raised over $2,000 U.S. to help Seth. He’s now 16 and doing well. Photo: UMHS archives

 


About UMHS:

Built in the tradition of the best US universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciencesfocuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, “personalized medical education,” and it’s what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the US and Canada. UMHS is challenging everything you thought you knew about med schools in St Kitts.

Posted by Scott Harrah

Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.

Topics: Campus

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